My workouts generally happen first thing in the morning. If it doesn’t happen then it generally doesn’t happen at all.

For many years I never ate anything before a workout. I would exercise hard and then need to eat large quantities of food. I was starving! Within the past year I started to experiment with eating small amounts an hour or so before and I’m finding that I’m not as famished.

The ideal pre-exercise meal should include foods that are high in carbohydrates and protein and low in fat and fiber. It’s also important to drink water a few hours before exercising and throughout your workout. I still need to work on this.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great option before a workout. Your body can generally tolerate it well and it provides a boost of energy. Add fruit and nuts to make it the perfect pre-exercise food.

Banana

Grab a banana before you head to they gym. They’re filled with natural sugar and are considered a carb. Your body relies on carbohydrates for energy and fuel.

Power Smoothie with Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are all the rage and they’re a perfect pre-workout addition to your smoothie. I like to blend frozen organic strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and apple juice with a teaspoon of chia seeds and a handful of frozen spinach. They’re great for pre-workout snack since they are easily digested.

Orange

Eat an orange before you exercise. Oranges are a quick energy source and they’ll help keep you hydrated.

Slice of Whole Grain Bread Before a Workout

Cut yourself a slice of whole grain bread for some good carbohydrates before your workout. Top it with some peanut butter or another nut butter to add protein. Make sure you eat well before you exercise.

[…] I have been a Nutiva fan for quite some time and was lucky enough to connect with the brand at ShiftCon this year. I use Chia seeds is so many things. They’re very rich in omega-3 fatty acids-even more so than flax seeds and salmon. One serving size includes 18 percent of recommended daily calcium and four grams of protein and they’re packed with fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, iron, niacin, and zinc. I love putting Nutiva Chia Seeds in my smoothie. Such a simple way to get a big dose of nutrition. […]

13) Stella Encinas said on April 8th, 2015

These all look good!

Too bad I cannot stand having a meal before my workouts. 🙁 I prefer just taking my pre workouts supplements since they provide the boost I need for my strenuous training program.

Great post! I prefer eating banana after workout to replenish the energy lost. It’s a fast digesting starchy fruit that can quickly breakdown the carbs to energy. That way, you can quickly recover from an extreme workout.